Several countries pull out of Eurovision 2026 as Israel is ...
Four countries have pulled out of next year's Eurovision Song Contest, after it was confirmed that Israel will take part. ITV National News
www.itv.comHere’s the latest on Eurovision 2026 and Israel, based on recent reporting:
- Israel was approved to compete in Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, despite significant controversy and public broadcaster withdrawals from several countries. This decision was taken by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) after adopting new safeguards intended to limit governmental influence on voting.[1][2][3]
- Several major broadcasters announced they would boycott or not participate in Eurovision 2026 if Israel remained in the lineup. Countries including Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia publicly pulled out or indicated they would not broadcast the event, citing concerns about the Gaza war and voting integrity. The BBC confirmed it would broadcast the contest, aligning with the collective decision of the EBU members, while other nations chose to abstain or withdraw.[2][3][4][1]
- The contest is scheduled for May 2026 in Vienna and will mark the 70th edition. The participation dispute has raised questions about viewership and the role of politics in Eurovision, with commentators noting the event risks becoming more divided as a result.[3][2]
If you’d like, I can summarize the key dates, list the current participant list as of now, or track any developments on which broadcasters confirm participation or withdrawal. Would you prefer a concise timeline or a quick country-by-country status table?
Citations:
- Israel eligible to compete in Eurovision 2026; some countries withdraw.[1]
- Eurovision 2026 decision and safeguards; country withdrawals and reactions.[2]
- Additional coverage of participation decision and broadcaster responses.[3]
- Early reports of multiple withdrawals tied to Israel’s participation.[4]